Automatic card-index device



M. D. MAcNAB.

AUTOMATIC CARD INDEX DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2, I915.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

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MALCOLM I). MACNAB, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC UTILITIES 00., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC CARD-INDEX DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

ie it known that I, MALCOLM D. MAGNAB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Card-Index Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of de vices which are designed to elevate a predetermined number of cards, or class of cards above their'normal plane, such as are described in the co-pending application of Kenneth L. Eddy Serial No. 828,173, filed March 30, 1914.

Devices of this class, with which I am familiar, contain certain features which are detrimental to their successful operation, for example, where the cards tIIIClClGVlCGS of this kind are elevated through the medium of a single bar, the indicator projects out through the front of the box, and 1s exposed to contact with anything wh ch may strike the front of the box with the result that it is possible for it to be accidentally bent and so be out of position, so that the elevating bar will not register with the correct cards and this may occur without the user being aware of it, and the box 1s useless until repaired.

My invention has for its object to provide means whereby the indicator will be s ecurely protected and cannot be bent or d1splaced from the exterior of the box. Another objection in these devices is that the pins which are used on the bottom of the cards, to effect operative union between the rising or elevating bar and the cards, fail to clamp the card firmly and if they are accidentally displaced from the vertical position they are intended to operate in, they become inoperative and the card is as effectually lost as if it had no pin on it.

My invention is designed to provide a pin which will so securely clamp the card as to make it, to all practically inventive purposes, impossible to displace it out of its normal position,

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawings, which are hereunto annexed and are a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1, is a front view of a box equipped with my improved indicating device.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 2, 1915.

Patented Sept. 23, 191%).

Serial No. 43,296.

Fig. 2, is a fragmentary detail view of the carriage and indicator device partially shown in section.

Fig. 8, is a modified form of face plate.

Fig. 1, is a front view of one of the cards with pin attached.

Fig, 5, is a side elevation of one of the pins.

Fig. 6, sectional view showing the means for protecting the indicator.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire description.

As shown in the drawing, a box, the front wall 1, only being shown, is provided with a face plate 2, which is secured to the front wall 1, of the box by means of screws 3, or any other suitable or convenient means The indicator ,1, which is double-pointed, is carried by a rod 5, which is secured to a carriage 6, mounted and slidable upon the track 7 The face plate is provided with a central portion 8, which extends entirely across the face plate 2, in a position to protect the end 9, of the indicator rod 5, adj acent the indicator,

It may in some cases be found desirable to extend the end 9, slightly beyond the indicator 1, and provide a groove 10, in the cross-bar 8, which will serve as a guide. As shown in the modified form in Fig. 3, two strips of paper, celluloid, 11, or other similar material upon which are printed the lettors of the alphabet and numerals or any other characters or indiciav desired, arev inserted intermediate the bar 8, and the edge of the face plate 1, the points of the indicator 41, being just outside of the celluloid strips 11.

It may in some cases be desirable to form a rabbet on the inside of the face plate so as to insert a pane of glass 12 above the strips of celluloid 11, not only to keep them clean, but to prevent the numbers from being blurred by contact with the hand of the operator as shown in Fig. 6.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that it is practically impossible to in any way injure or move the indicator either accidentally or otherwise out of its normal position.

It is well known to persons skilled in the art that in devices of this character the :ards are elevated by means of a rising bar, which contactsavith the lower end of the pin which depends dowmvardly from the edge of the card, and is adjustable longitudinally thereof; the pins are detachable in order that they may be placed upon the letter or numeral printed on the loweredge of the card, which corresponds with the letter or numeral printed on the strips of celluloid on the face of the box. pins do not always grip the card with suflicient firmness to prevent their being easily displaced from their vertical position, therefore they fail to be engaged by the rising bar when it is operated with the result that the card is not elevated.

I have fo ind by constructing a pin, as

shown in the drawings and particularly in Fig. 4, that it is possible to have it clamp the lower edge of the card so firmly that it is very difficult for it to be displaced from its normal position. The pin or clipis formed, as clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 5, of a downwardly depending portion 14, and a card engaging portion 15; the central part 16 of the card engaging portion is punched, as clearly seen in Fig. 4, to permit of the insertion of the card intermediate the central portion 16, and the outer or broader portion 17, of the card engaging portion of the pin or clip.

The central portion 16, is inclined inwardly, as clearly shown in F ig, 4c, and the outer orbroader portion 17, is curved from a point 18, to its upper end 19. The result of this construction is when the card is inserted, the point 20, of the central portion 16, presses the card inwardly and against the point 18, so it grips the card firmly, and'the pin is securely clamped thereon, so that it will not become displaced in use.

It will be apparent that this gripping action is further-assisted by the pressure by the point 19, upon the opposite side of the card to that engaged by the point 20.

, Having described my invention what I As stated, these regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1'. In a device of the character described, the combination with a boX, of a face plate provided with a central cross bar, an indicator, a rod upon which said indicator is mounted, a carriage to which said indicator is secured, said cross bar being adapted to protect the end of the indicator rod..

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box, of a face plate provided with a central cross bar, an indicator, a rod upon which said indicator is mounted, a carriage to which said indicator is secured, slips of'suitable material bearing 7 characters located intermediate the box and the indicator, said cross bar being adapted to protect the end of the indicator rod.

3, In a device of the character described, the combination with a box, of a face plate provided with a central cross bar, an indicator, a rod upon whichsaid indicatoris mounted, a carriage to which said indicator is secured, slips of suitable material bearing characters located intermediate thebox and the indicator, said cross bar being adapted to protect the end of the indicator rod, and

transparent means to protect said indicator and slips.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a box, of a face plate provided with a central cross bar, an indicator, a rod upon which said indicator is mounted, the end of which extends beyond the indicator, there being a groove in said cross bar in which the end of said rod slid w, and a carriage to which said indicator is secured, for the purpose set forth substanly as es be In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoing specification.

MALCOLM D. MAoNAB.

Writs 1M1 3 pa enting: e qbteincq to v cents c y m e-sane h comm ioner of ra es,

' Washington, D. Q, 

